Mandhana’s 54 also pushed her run total above 600 for the year, propelling her to fourth place on the list of greatest run scorers in women’s T20Is in 2024.
India Women won the series opener here on Sunday by a resounding 49-run margin, extending their winning streak over the West Indies to nine straight T20I triumphs.The West Indies replied with 146 for seven after Jemimah Rodrigues (73) and Smriti Mandhana (54) led India to their second-highest total in the format and their highest-ever total of 195 for four against the Caribbean team.
Young Qiana Joseph starred at the top with a brilliant 49 off 33 balls, and veteran Deandra Dottin (52) scored her maiden fifty since returning to Twenty20 Internationals earlier this year, but their efforts were insufficient.In the second over, West Indies’ hopes were dashed when Hayley Matthews (1), the captain, was dismissed by substitute fielder Minnu Mani with a spectacular acrobatic catch off Titas Sadhu (3/37).
To keep the scoreboard moving, Joseph hit five fours and three sixes, but the West Indies were unable to form strong middle-field partnerships.
Shemaine Campbelle (13) and Joseph put on a grueling 34-run partnership for the second wicket off 31 balls, while the former’s partnership with Dottin ended after 18 balls and 44 runs for the third wicket.Saima Thakor was a favorite of Joseph’s, who struck the Indian bowler for four boundaries in the ninth over, but the asking rate continued to rise. Dottin seized control of obtaining the big runs when Joseph, who was dismissed by Sadhu, missed her fifty by one run.
In her 28-ball fifty-two, Dottin smashed four fours and three sixes, but the goal was too far for the visitors, despite her receiving a few lifelines from Indian fielders who spilled regulation catches.
Dottin also fell prey to Sadhu, who took advantage of the pressure that Deepti Sharma (2/21) and Radha Yadav (2/21) put on him.Earlier, Rodrigues produced one of her best performances in the shortest format at No. 3, smashing nine fours and two sixes to score an incredible 73 off 35 balls.
Following a brilliant 105 in her most recent appearance, the last One-Day International of the Australia tour, Mandhana maintained her impressive run of form to record her 28th fifty in the format and sixth of the year.
In addition to surpassing 600 runs for the year with her 54, Mandhana rose to the fourth position on the list of women’s T20I top scorers in 2024.As India surpassed the West Indies with their highest-ever total, Mandhana and the other players in her camp relished the return to comfortable and familiar surroundings at home. Her innings comprised seven fours and two sixes. At Gros Islet in November 2019, they recorded their top score of 185/4.
Rodrigues seemed to have taken full use of it, hitting her favorite leg-side scoring spot to easily pierce gaps and, on one instance, send the ball soaring over the ropes at deep square leg to reach her 12th fifty.
Karishma Ramharack, the best of the Caribbean bowlers returning stats, removed Mandhana after he and Rodrigues put up 81 for the second wicket off 44 balls.In the 17th over, experienced Deandra Dottin made a brilliant catch at deep mid-wicket off Mandy Mangru, ending Richa Ghosh’s knock after she had scored a fast 20 off 14 balls with two fours and a six.
With 50 runs on board in seven overs, India’s opening duo of Uma Chetry (24) and Mandhana provided their team the early boost.
